Butler

[cruise*enthusiast]

What is the lowest class of cabins that have butler service?

[gmbhardy]

Haven.

[cruiser2015]

3 minutes ago, gmbhardy said:

Haven.

Not rue.

All suites have butler service.

[Seas2mountains]

Suites on Spirit, POA, Sun class and Jewel class ships have butler service.  Suites on the Joy that are not in the Haven do not have butler service. 
 

There are suites on the Prima and Viva that I believe do have butler service but do not have access to the Haven or the Haven restaurant. 
 

All Haven suites have butler service. 

Edited December 30, 2023 by Seas2mountains

[complawyer]

almost any suite that is above a club balcony suite category has 24 hr butler service concierge, and the ability to have breakfast and lunch in moderno and cagneys respectively, along with priority boarding, etc.

 

some  of the ncl fleet have  both a haven and a suite category and some of the fleet that have haven suites also have a specialy designated restaurant, bar, lounge area and covered pool and sundeck.

 

the cabins themselves are almost essentially the same, but t he have area is about $3,000 more price wise. since almost all the perks are the same, personally, i would forgo the pool and lounge area, eat at moderno and cagney's, and save the 3 grand.

[Daruma]

Curious... what do people need a Butler for? What do they do for you?

[gmbhardy]

Sorry, my bad.

[RocketMan275]

32 minutes ago, Daruma said:

Curious... what do people need a Butler for? What do they do for you?

This is a rather long article but you will find the answer to  your question on the first page.

 

[ChiefMateJRK]

42 minutes ago, Daruma said:

Curious... what do people need a Butler for? What do they do for you?

We'll, I've never had a butler, so I don't know from firsthand experience.  That said, I have read about it here on the forum.  I think they do different things for different people.  I hear things about gummy bears, nuts and cookies.  It is very interesting to see how some derive value from a butler.....  🤣

 

Generally, when I find a great venue with outstanding music, I make friends with one of more of the fine folks who bring me drinks.  I guess they are as close as I'll get (or want to get) to a butler.  😎

Edited December 31, 2023 by ChiefMateJRK

[IAcruising]

Someday, I'll get a butler. I assume Mrs. IA will figure out how to use him.

 

[complawyer]

no one "needs a butler" it's just an extra service offered to people that book a higher echelon cabin. maybe it works the other way also, one books an upper grade cabin to get the butler.

 

regardless, we have him bring a carafe of coffee, decaf, and hot water for tea , as well as croissants, and sweet rolls every morning. he lets himself in, and when we get up the goodies are there. yes, he also brings m&m's, gummie bears, and afternoon treats every day. sometimes i ask him to bring an assortment of meats , cheeses and crackers. sometimes he/she will bring me cans of soda or bottles of beer to keep in my fridge. sometimes they wait for you at the dock when you get back from an excursion, and get you back on the ship, by passing people waiting in line. on a cruise, in terms of price, cabin, deck  location and specific wants, one size does not fit all. on one cruise out of new orleans on the spirit, my then 14 year old grandson thought having a butler was unbelievable

he is now 24, but to this day i still remember the butler's name was randy, and my grandson had no qualms about calling him up and ordering pizza.

 

like my good buddy chief mate says, of course anyone can do without this service, but it's nice to have available. 

 

to me the same theory applies to the concierge. there isnt very much they do that i cant do or figure out by myself, but (1) at the end of the cruise they can get us off the ship within 15 -20 minutes,, and as we usually spend a few days post cruise in the port city, i have him arrange a cab the day before we dock. the cab is waiting and takes us directly to the hotel. 

 

of course some people like to lounge around until the last minute, (are you reading this chief, good buddy) but i want off ASAP, and dont want to wait with 2,000 of my closest friends

 

remember the old saying "dont knock it until youve tried it. 

[European_CruiseGirl]

Butlers are of great value in bringing you your Haven breakfast to your suite. It’s a nice way to get your speciality breakfast but enjoy it in your suite. Same for dinners particularly if you travel with small kid/s. Put the kids to bed in the bedroom and enjoy your Ocean Blue etc dinner in your suite’s livingroom. 
 

Our favourite butler memory is though when we cruised during our country’s independence day. We had extended family with us. Some were in a suite while others were in balconies/insides. We wanted to host an independence day cocktail event to the whole extended family and our butler arranged everything (free of charge, the only thing we paid was cocktails and non alcoholic drinks which we asked him to bring to the suite). He decorated our suite (and even found from somewhere our country’s flag), arranged fingerfood, hors d’euvres, sliced fruits, cake. It was fantastic. We obviously tipped him accordingly. 

Edited December 31, 2023 by European_CruiseGirl

[Sailing12Away]

18 hours ago, cruise*enthusiast said:

What is the lowest class of cabins that have butler service?

It all depends on the specific ship you would be on. But as others have said, generally suites and Haven cabins will have butler service. 

 

As for what they do... depends on what you need. Anything within your cabin they will attend to. Special pillow requests, extra blankets, swapping a balcony chair for a lounger, all room service, mid-day snacks, stocking the mini fridge with free pitchers of juice/water...

 

Nice to have, yes. Need to have - for most folks, no.

[GayleR]

We are sailing on the Prima soon and this is our first Norwegian cruise.   We have a suite and I see it comes with a butler.  When we sailed other lines, there wasn't a butler so I have a few questions and I hope you all can help me. The mid-day snacks....is there a charge for those? I see they will bring you breakfast (lunch and dinner too) to your cabin.  Can you order from any of the restaurants?  I've read that they can assist you will debarkation.  Is this true?  How much do you usually tip the butler?  Do you do so at the beginning or the end of the cruise?

[ggTexasGal]

2 hours ago, GayleR said:

We are sailing on the Prima soon and this is our first Norwegian cruise.   We have a suite and I see it comes with a butler.  When we sailed other lines, there wasn't a butler so I have a few questions and I hope you all can help me. The mid-day snacks....is there a charge for those? I see they will bring you breakfast (lunch and dinner too) to your cabin.  Can you order from any of the restaurants?  I've read that they can assist you will debarkation.  Is this true?  How much do you usually tip the butler?  Do you do so at the beginning or the end of the cruise?

First, I will say that if your room happens to be a CLUB BALCONY SUITE, there is no butler or concierge service. (Plenty of people, understandably, mistake the name to be a full suite!)

 

There is no added charge for the delivered snacks. If you order meals from specialty restaurants you will have to use Free at Sea Dining Credit(s), or pay outright for the meal.  Your Butler can provide you more information regarding your specific case.  If you want no extra fee meals delivered to your room, be sure to ask you butler your questions to ensure that what your want is an option.

Tipping amount is very personal, and only you can determine the value you receive!  Some people are VERY generous and others can be miserly, but there is no set guideline for tipping. You may tip when and how much you please!  None-the-less, do be aware that the Butlers often have a dozen, or more, rooms to service.  Therefore, try to give them plenty of notice!

Enjoy!

[RocketMan275]

4 hours ago, GayleR said:

We are sailing on the Prima soon and this is our first Norwegian cruise.   We have a suite and I see it comes with a butler.  When we sailed other lines, there wasn't a butler so I have a few questions and I hope you all can help me. The mid-day snacks....is there a charge for those? I see they will bring you breakfast (lunch and dinner too) to your cabin.  Can you order from any of the restaurants?  I've read that they can assist you will debarkation.  Is this true?  How much do you usually tip the butler?  Do you do so at the beginning or the end of the cruise?

I would suggest  you'll find this thread very  useful.  Don't be scared by the 150 pages,  you don't need to read all of that. The first two or three pages will provide a wealth of information on the Haven and the butler.

 

[Sthrngary]

10 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

I would suggest  you'll find this thread very  useful.  Don't be scared by the 150 pages,  you don't need to read all of that. The first two or three pages will provide a wealth of information on the Haven and the butler.

 

Thank you for sharing
 

Cruise well, and enjoy every moment

[BirdTravels]

On 12/30/2023 at 5:38 PM, cruiser2015 said:

Not rue.

All suites have butler service.

Not true.

Suites on the Joy do not have the benefit of a Butler. 

[slavetoabunny]

Sailing in the Haven on the Escape, at our request our butler kept a pitcher of lemonade and ice tea in our fridge.  We also provided him with a list of preferred afternoon snacks (we don't like anything sweet) and he was great with that.  Otherwise, we didn't use him for much but enjoyed having him available.  

[Sthrngary]

Hello, before every cruise I do what I call a Journey Document.  It takes a long time and usually is in excess of 30 pages.  One heading is "Butlers".  The information is below and should give you a good idea of what to expect.

 

The Haven Butler:

Overview:

On day one, I provide the butler a letter that has some of our basic needs.  I also tip them upfront which has always worked for me.  The Haven Butler is not under the normal gratuities program so what they get from us is their income.

What your Haven Butler WILL do for you:

1.       Set up your suite: Butlers will do everything from packing and unpacking your luggage to offering pillow menus, and stocking and re-stocking your suite bar with your drink preferences. They will also bring CDs, books, board games and DVDs to your room. They can even draw you a bubble bath if you ask -- or if they sense you could use one.

2.       Handle logistics: Butlers will save you from spending your vacation waiting in line or dealing with the minutiae of your trip. They will handle all your reservations for specialty restaurants and book appointments for the spa, salon, and private fitness training. They can book ship or private shore excursions and arrange shoreside dining and entertainment. They will even work with the chef to expedite special dietary requests, such as paleo or gluten-free meals.

3.       Make deliveries: Butlers will be your complimentary room service provider. They will deliver fancy canapes daily, like foie gras terrine and crab legs (examples only, always check additional costs), and upgraded turn-down amenities, such as a chocolate box. They can present in-room tea service. They will also bring you room service or morning cappuccinos and espresso, even serving you dinner course-by-course, in your suite or on your balcony. Please always ask for all food deliveries to be ONLY from the Haven Restaurant.

4.      Take care of your laundry: Butlers will handle laundry, dry-cleaning and pressing requests, and return your clothes expertly folded and wrapped in tissue paper. There is always a cost to your suite.

5.       Have a party: If you are social types, butlers can help you organize cocktail or dinner parties in your suite and even bartend or help while your guests are present. For special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, they might decorate your suite or present bubbly and celebratory cakes.

6.       Take care of the little details: Butlers will shine shoes, place bookmarks in books and wrap eyeglasses in cleaning cloths. They will even solve problems for you, such as finding an appropriate crew member to fix broken eyeglasses or stuck luggage locks.

7.       Give advice: Butlers know their ships inside out and are often familiar with ports. They might advise on everything from the finest shopping street to the best hours to hit the onboard fitness center.

 

What your Haven Butler WILL NOT do for you:

1.       They won't work exclusively for you: Most butlers juggle several suites; for the best service, plan. Make requests, such as for dining reservations, private shore excursions and beauty appointments, well in advance so butlers can manage their time to make your wishes reality. If they do not instantaneously answer a page, they might be busy with another passenger.

2.       They won't babysit: Don't expect the butler to watch your kids, although they might assist in hiring a sitter and often play with children, time permitting.

3.       They won't act as aides: If physically challenged, travel with a companion. A butler will always assist in an emergency but should not be expected to help you with daily physical needs.

4.       They won't be your personal companion: While some butlers can be chatty -- particularly with solo passengers seeking company -- they are not your friend or travel companion. They can escort you to a restaurant or show, but they will not sit with you.

5.       They cannot always fulfill challenging requests: If you ask for a miracle, such as dinner reservations in the ship's hottest restaurant 15 minutes before you wish to eat, a butler cannot always meet your request. That said, butlers try to make magic. They can serve you dinner from that restaurant in your suite or secure a table at a later hour, instead.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[slavetoabunny]

2 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

 

2.       Handle logistics: Butlers will save you from spending your vacation waiting in line or dealing with the minutiae of your trip. They will handle all your reservations for specialty restaurants and book appointments for the spa, salon, and private fitness training. They can book ship or private shore excursions and arrange shoreside dining and entertainment. They will even work with the chef to expedite special dietary requests, such as paleo or gluten-free meals.

 

I have always thought the concierge did this.  That has been my experience in the Haven.

[Sthrngary]

Just now, slavetoabunny said:

I have always thought the concierge did this.  That has been my experience in the Haven.

@slavetoabunny For me it has gone either way.  Sometimes the butler says talk with the Concierge and sometimes the concierge says talk the the butler.  Either way, it gets done.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[GayleR]

22 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

Hello, before every cruise I do what I call a Journey Document.  It takes a long time and usually is in excess of 30 pages.  One heading is "Butlers".  The information is below and should give you a good idea of what to expect.

 

The Haven Butler:

Overview:

On day one, I provide the butler a letter that has some of our basic needs.  I also tip them upfront which has always worked for me.  The Haven Butler is not under the normal gratuities program so what they get from us is their income.

What your Haven Butler WILL do for you:

1.       Set up your suite: Butlers will do everything from packing and unpacking your luggage to offering pillow menus, and stocking and re-stocking your suite bar with your drink preferences. They will also bring CDs, books, board games and DVDs to your room. They can even draw you a bubble bath if you ask -- or if they sense you could use one.

2.       Handle logistics: Butlers will save you from spending your vacation waiting in line or dealing with the minutiae of your trip. They will handle all your reservations for specialty restaurants and book appointments for the spa, salon, and private fitness training. They can book ship or private shore excursions and arrange shoreside dining and entertainment. They will even work with the chef to expedite special dietary requests, such as paleo or gluten-free meals.

3.       Make deliveries: Butlers will be your complimentary room service provider. They will deliver fancy canapes daily, like foie gras terrine and crab legs (examples only, always check additional costs), and upgraded turn-down amenities, such as a chocolate box. They can present in-room tea service. They will also bring you room service or morning cappuccinos and espresso, even serving you dinner course-by-course, in your suite or on your balcony. Please always ask for all food deliveries to be ONLY from the Haven Restaurant.

4.      Take care of your laundry: Butlers will handle laundry, dry-cleaning and pressing requests, and return your clothes expertly folded and wrapped in tissue paper. There is always a cost to your suite.

5.       Have a party: If you are social types, butlers can help you organize cocktail or dinner parties in your suite and even bartend or help while your guests are present. For special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, they might decorate your suite or present bubbly and celebratory cakes.

6.       Take care of the little details: Butlers will shine shoes, place bookmarks in books and wrap eyeglasses in cleaning cloths. They will even solve problems for you, such as finding an appropriate crew member to fix broken eyeglasses or stuck luggage locks.

7.       Give advice: Butlers know their ships inside out and are often familiar with ports. They might advise on everything from the finest shopping street to the best hours to hit the onboard fitness center.

 

What your Haven Butler WILL NOT do for you:

1.       They won't work exclusively for you: Most butlers juggle several suites; for the best service, plan. Make requests, such as for dining reservations, private shore excursions and beauty appointments, well in advance so butlers can manage their time to make your wishes reality. If they do not instantaneously answer a page, they might be busy with another passenger.

2.       They won't babysit: Don't expect the butler to watch your kids, although they might assist in hiring a sitter and often play with children, time permitting.

3.       They won't act as aides: If physically challenged, travel with a companion. A butler will always assist in an emergency but should not be expected to help you with daily physical needs.

4.       They won't be your personal companion: While some butlers can be chatty -- particularly with solo passengers seeking company -- they are not your friend or travel companion. They can escort you to a restaurant or show, but they will not sit with you.

5.       They cannot always fulfill challenging requests: If you ask for a miracle, such as dinner reservations in the ship's hottest restaurant 15 minutes before you wish to eat, a butler cannot always meet your request. That said, butlers try to make magic. They can serve you dinner from that restaurant in your suite or secure a table at a later hour, instead.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

So here's the deal, it's not a Haven suite.  Do the butlers that are not in the Haven follow the same "rules?"  We have booked an SJ catagory suite, it's the one with a bedroom.  Sorry, I am new to Norwegian.  I appreciate the responses so far!

[Sthrngary]

38 minutes ago, GayleR said:

So here's the deal, it's not a Haven suite.  Do the butlers that are not in the Haven follow the same "rules?"  We have booked an SJ catagory suite, it's the one with a bedroom.  Sorry, I am new to Norwegian.  I appreciate the responses so far!

@GayleR I wish I could give you an exact answer but I can't.  I believe every butler can do for you what you like within reason.  On other ships, the butler will give you afternoon tea which NCL does not do. Even if you have a drink package, the butler has to charge you if he brings you wine or spirits.  Even in the Haven.  So obviously, they won't do things that are against NCL policy. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[slavetoabunny]

2 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@GayleR I wish I could give you an exact answer but I can't.  I believe every butler can do for you what you like within reason.  On other ships, the butler will give you afternoon tea which NCL does not do. Even if you have a drink package, the butler has to charge you if he brings you wine or spirits.  Even in the Haven.  So obviously, they won't do things that are against NCL policy. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

When we were in the Deluxe Owner's Suite on the Dawn (non-Haven ship), we had our butler bring us drinks a few times and were never charged for them.